Adding A/C to 1950 Champion w/ 6cylinder

[tbirdtbird]

Most of us here in Texas run Ken Davis' 12V AC kits in our Model A Fords which are 4-bangers with no significant loss of power. Today's compressors are way better than their predecessors. He actually sells the kits all over the world. He does not fab anything for Studes, however. But if an A can run A/C then surely a 6 cyl Stude can. I'd contact Vintage Air they are pretty amazing at what they can come up with. They are also Texas based.

[Collectors garage]

We have contracted Vintage Air in Fort Worth in the past. They have configured air in 4 cylinder 1920s autos of mine and many 6 cylinder vehicles in my collection. If a man has to set his RPM up on a Studebaker flathead 6 it's because his motor is worn out and needs rebuilding. We have several flathead 6 Studes on 6volt systems that were built by Vintage Air. They are the place to go.

[t walgamuth]

I set up my 51 Cadillac hearse with 12 v for towing by adding a second battery and a 12 v gen. I tapped between the batterys for six volts and ran 12v for all my lights and kept the 6 v for all the instruments. I mounted the second battery under the floor in back. It seemed to work just fine. Look under the hood and all looked stock.

[deco_droid]

We have contracted Vintage Air in Fort Worth in the past. They have configured air in 4 cylinder 1920s autos of mine and many 6 cylinder vehicles in my collection. If a man has to set his RPM up on a Studebaker flathead 6 it's because his motor is worn out and needs rebuilding. We have several flathead 6 Studes on 6volt systems that were built by Vintage Air. They are the place to go.

Well since I am in Fort Worth, that is good to know. I thought I contacted Vintage Air before about keeping 6V and adding a/c and was told I had to have it converted, but that may have been another company...

[stevee]

Anyone have experience or suggestions for adding A/C to my 1950 Champion ? Manufacturers, A/C units, alternators, changing to a 12 volt car.

Live in South Texas and it gets too hot & humid about 5 months out of the year.

I know I am spoiled but the wifey will not go without cool air in the Stude.

Patrick

I did exactly this conversion on a 1950 champion. I converted to 12 volt as part of the restoration, bought a compressor and the rest of the parts locally in Houston, Tx. I also installed an extra electric fan since this was intended to be a parade car, and I was worried about overheating. I mounted the unit under the dash over the tranny hump, and the compressor below the alternator as shown in many of the posts responding to your post.

If you are mechanically inclined, it is not really that hard, just takes a while. It is also hard to adjust the tension on the compressor belt when done.

PM me if you want to call me to discuss in detail. Sounds like you are not too far down the road.

[DWBookout]

So...Problem Solved? Vintage Air eat your heart out.

Obviously seen in a Walmart parking lot!

[Collectors garage]

I spoke to my shop foreman today when I was having several cars brought to the residence for the holiday. He has informed me that we bought the last 16, new 6volt a/c units for my various cars from Vintage Air. He said 6 volt units were very hard to find these days. He said we had some cars converted also at Climatic Air in Tyler Texas. I keep 100+ cars in the east texas area and Climatic Air services all of them. They were a manufacturer of after-market a/c units. The phone is 903 597 6645 ask for James. Hope this is helpful and sorry for my misspoken words. KS

Well since I am in Fort Worth, that is good to know. I thought I contacted Vintage Air before about keeping 6V and adding a/c and was told I had to have it converted, but that may have been another company...

[alpayed]

more food for thought

http://www.studebaker-info.org/tech/atyler/atylerAC/atylerac.html

Allan

[rkapteyn]

Hudson DG200 is pretty well the same as the Studebaker DG 200.Both made by Detroit gear division of Borg Warner.

This is encouraging news, though I'm sure it be some expense and work to do it to my 51 Champion. I love the engineering that went into this car, and it's pretty original (except someone swapped in a HUDSON DG-200 automatic for the original one), but would like AC for the Virginia climate as well, even at the sacrifice of power. I was considering swapping to a V8 primarily to get AC, but if it's possible with the six, I'd rather do that. Saves a lot of other changes to the car that come with installing an eight. Since some of my wiring is only so-so, I don't mind changing to 12V when I get it re-wired.

Regards,
Clarence in Virginia Beach

[deco_droid]

I spoke to my shop foreman today when I was having several cars brought to the residence for the holiday. He has informed me that we bought the last 16, new 6volt a/c units for my various cars from Vintage Air. He said 6 volt units were very hard to find these days. He said we had some cars converted also at Climatic Air in Tyler Texas. I keep 100+ cars in the east texas area and Climatic Air services all of them. They were a manufacturer of after-market a/c units. The phone is 903 597 6645 ask for James. Hope this is helpful and sorry for my misspoken words. KS

Wait, are you saying Vintage Air is not making 6V systems anymore? Or that you just bought the last ones they had in stock? I'm confused...